DIPLOMACY

5 years ago

Turkey Closes Syrian Embassy

AP Photo

Turkey brought a temporary suspension to its diplomatic activities in Syria Monday, closing its embassy in Damascus and recalling its ambassador. Turkish officials said concerns about security in a country wracked by internal conflict were the prime reasons for the closure. Diplomatic relations between Syria and its neighbor to the north have been strained in recent days, with the Turkish prime minister threatening to break ties with the country. Turkey has allowed refugees of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s brutal yearlong crackdown to take shelter behind its borders.